Sensor for detecting biological electro-magnetic signal and the diagnostic device using the same

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals made of a epidermis of a living organism and a diagnostic device using the same, and more particularly, to a material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals made of a epidermis of a living organism, through drying is one stage, also selecting is another stage of production, and a diagnostic device using the same. The material of the invention has an effect of detecting biological electro-magnetic signals. Accordingly, the material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals of the invention can be used for manufacturing a diagnostic device for detecting biological electro-magnetic signals non-invasively as well as effectively used in diagnosis in cases where biological electro-magnetic signals are changed by cancer, inflammations due to immunodeficiency and so on.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a material for the detection ofbiological electro-magnetic signals made of a epidermis of a livingorganism and a diagnostic device using the same, and more particularly,to a material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signalsmade of a epidermis of a living organism, through drying and selecting,and a diagnostic device using the same.

BACKGROUND ART

All cells of a living body such as heart muscle, skeletal muscle, smoothmuscle and nerve cell have electricity. Since such electricity can bechanged by external stimulus or cell injury, the condition of a cell canbe estimated by measuring the change. There are a number of electricalchanges in the cell, ranging from a simple change which can be measuredbased on current variation through a single channel of a cell membraneto a combination of electrical behaviors of a number of cells. Such anelectrical change inevitably accompanies a change of ions inside a cellsuch as Na+, K+ and CL− and a change in chemical elements such as aminoacids, catecholamine and Peptide.

As well-known in the art, some diagnostic techniques such aselectrocardiogram, magneto-cardiograph and magneto-encephalography arecommon methods to measure biopotential of a heart or brain of a livingbody in order to diagnose any disease of the living body. Accordingly, anumber of approaches have been made to solve relevant clinical problemsby understanding electrical and chemical stimulations of biologicalactions.

As an example, there have been approaches to diagnose a disease bymeasuring an electric resistance of an abnormal region (in particular,an inflamed region) of patients having various diseases (“CHANGE INELECTRIC RESISTANCE OF THE SKIN OCCURRING IN THE RIGHT BELLY AT ANOUTBREAK OF ACUTE APPENDICITIS”, B. M. Vorochilov, Published by Eu-Hak(Medical Science), 1978, pp 46 to 49 and “NUMERICAL EXPRESSION OF PAINCAUSED BY RICULITIS OF THE SPINAL CORD, WHICH IS OBTAINED BY MEASURINGELECTRIC RESISTANCE OF THE SKIN”, B. M. Vorochilov, Published by Bu-Hak(Medical Science), 1982, pp 42 to 44). As another example, there hasbeen an approach to measure the dielectric coefficient of cancer cellsin view of the electric characteristics thereof (“DIELECTRIC COEFFICIENTCHARACTERISTICS OF TUMOR TISSUE”, YU Don-Sik et al, published by Journalof Korea Electro-magnetic Engineering Society, 2002, Vol. 13, No. 16, pp566 to 571.

In addition, there has been an approach to measure an abnormality in thebody by using a magnetic field distribution around the body (LEE Yong-Hoet al., Korean Journal of Brain Science and Technology, 2002, Vol. 2,No. 2, pp 79 to 90). In particular, after the development of a highlysensitive magnetic flux meter using a Superconducting QuantumInterference Device (SQUID), it has been possible to measure a faintmagnetic flux in the body. Accordingly, various studies are beingactively carried out many countries to diagnose diseases by measuring afaint magnetic flux created from the viscera of the human body using themagnetic flux meter (“BIOMAGNETIC FIELD DETECTION,” Kotani Makoto,Published by Corona Company, 1995).

That is, various attempts have been made continuously to diagnosediseases based on the fact that a different electric phenomenon betweenhealthy and sick persons causes a different magnetic field distribution.For example, in order for a stomach to digest foods, stomach musclesshould move while repeating contraction and relaxation. Such movementsare controlled by electric signals flowing through the stomach muscles,transmitted through nerve cells. If such electric signals are abnormal,the stomach muscles may have a problem in their movement, whichpotentially causes an indigestion. The abnormal electric signals flowingthrough the stomach muscles show a different aspect from normal electricsignals, thereby creating a different magnetic field distribution.

This symptom is true for not only indigestion but also other diseasessuch as cancer, disease by immunodeficiency and heart disease. It ispossible to diagnose a disease from a subject by examining a change inan electro-magnetic field around a specific viscera or anelectro-magnetic field pattern of a patient distinguished from that ofnormal persons. These schemes basically examine any changes inelectro-magnetic signals in the human body or biologicalelectro-magnetic signals.

However, such biological electro-magnetic signals or their changes areextreme precision the immensely subtle, minute signals to be usedefficiently.

The epidermis of an animal refers to a type of epithelium that makes upthe skin surface. The epidermis is mainly composed of a corneoussubstance, and conventionally has been regarded as mainly acting toprotect the animal from external stimulation (Textbook Committee ofKorean Dermatological Association, “DERMATOLOGY” (Revised version 4), pp1-5, 2001).

When human epidermis is examined with respect to physiologicalcharacteristics or observed with an electron microscope and the like, aepidermis is of a matrix structure, including stratum nucleare composedof living cells and anucleate stratum corneum composed of dead hornysubstances without nucleii. Under the influence of electro-magneticspectrum, a dielectric crystal changes optical properties and refractiveconstant, in which a change in polarization constant is proportional toan electro-magnetic field. Owing to the above-mentioned structure, theepidermis has a property of crystalline dielectric material.

The epidermis contains pigments such as melanin, which is created bymelanin-creating cells melanoblast existing in an underlying layer ofthe epidermis and then converted into surrounding keratinocytes torepresent skin color. Like the epidermis, the melanoblast originatesfrom the neural crest differentiated from the ectoderm, and performs animportant function of creating melanin to protect the skin fromultraviolet rays. The melanoblast having dendrites is morphologicallysimilar with nerve cells, and commonly has a number of acceptors forgrowth factors and signal molecules. Thus it is appreciated that themelanoblast has the same morphological origin as the nerve cells (PARKGyeon-Chan, “Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Korea,” Vol.25, No. 2, p 45

57, 1999). In addition, the above-mentioned observations are alsosupported by the fact that the epidermis differentiated from ectodermhas the same genetic origin as nerve cells such as brain, spinal cordand nerve.

According to studies on epidermis properties with respect toelectro-magnetic signal creation and conduction, it was found that theepidermis not only protects the living body from external stimulationbut also acts an independent function as a separate biological system inan organism (“ELECTRICITY AND MAN”, V. E. Manoilov, 1988, pp 184 to185). In particular, it is also found that the epidermis shows variousreactions such as reflection, absorption and dispersion toelectro-magnetic waves incident into the epidermis.

Based on the above-mentioned facts, the inventors have analyzedphysical, electrical, optical and photophysical properties of theepidermis and sought for available measures to utilize the epidermis.Through the studies, the inventors have found that the epidermis changesits electrical characteristics when an external electro-magnetic signalis applied thereto, functioning as a material detective to biologicalelectro-magnetic signals. By using these symptoms, the invention hasdevised a material detective to biological electro-magnetic signals ofthe present invention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

Therefore a first object of the present invention is to provide amaterial for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals madeof a epidermis of a living organism.

A second object of the invention is to provide a production method of amaterial for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals from aepidermis of a living organism.

A third object of the invention is to provide a diagnostic device of amaterial for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals madeof a epidermis of a living organism.

Technical Solution

In order to realize the first object of the invention, the inventionprovides a material for the detection of biological electro-magneticsignals made of an epidermis of a living organism.

In order to realize the second object of the invention, the inventionprovides a production method of a material for the detection ofbiological electro-magnetic signals from an epidermis of a livingorganism.

In order to realize the third object of the invention, the inventionprovides a diagnostic device of a material for the detection ofbiological electro-magnetic signals made of a epidermis of a livingorganism.

Hereinafter the present invention will be described in detail.

The material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals ofthe invention is produced from a epidermis of a living organism, throughdrying and selecting.

Herein the term “epidermis” indicates skin or epidermal tissue of aliving body, scale transformed from dermis, a retrogressed or cornifiedscale, a scale of a fish, a scale or horny scale layer of a reptile, amodified skin of a bird or mammal body, a cuticle of an insect, acuticle of a mollusk, a cuticle of a shellfish, a scale including acuticle of a vertebrate animal, a feather or hair, and a shell or hornyscale layer of a crustacea. In these examples, cell tissue,extracellular tissue and so on are adhered pleomorphically, in anon-linear inharmony by connectives, forming a matrix. In addition,intracellular and extracellular, mainly, extracellular pigmentaton of,for example, melanin is observed.

The above-mentioned epidermis can be used without limitations for theproduction of a material of the invention. Preferably, the invention mayuse a scale of a fish, a scale or skin of a reptile, a cuticle of aninsect and a shell of a crustacea. More preferably, the invention mayuse a scale of a crucian carp, a scale of a carp, a scale of a salmon, ascale of a trout, a scale of a turtle, a scale of a snapping turtle, ascale of a crocodile, a scale(skin) of a snake, a cuticle of a beetle, acuticle of a grasshopper, a cuticle of a gold bug, a cuticle of aladybug, a shell of a crab, a shell of a shrimp and a shell of acrayfish.

The epidermis may be preferably separated from a dead body. While theseparation step is not limited to a specific procedure, it is preferableto separate the epidermis after being immersed in water such asdistilled water or tap water at a temperature of 0° C. to 35° C. for 1day to 30 days. The immersion can uniformly hydrate the epidermis,thereby reducing potential injury to the epidermis in the separation.Then, the immersed epidermis may be preferably separated from the deadbody by physical force.

A drying step is aimed to stabilize electrical properties of theepidermis without having to damage a matrix structure of the epidermis.While the drying step is not specifically limited, it is preferable todry the epidermis in a place of good ventilation which is out of thesunlight. The epidermis may be injured if it is dried rapidly by anartificial method using a heater and the like. The epidermis is thenspread flat, optionally, between paper or cloth sheets so as not to befolded, and dried in the shade out of the sunlight under a pressure of0.5 kg/cm² to 10 kg/cm² at room temperature (25° C.) for 1 hour to 48hours. Then, the epidermis is dried in the shade without pressure atroom temperature until moisture is completely removed. The drying timeis not specifically limited, but is preferably 1 hour to 96 hours, andmore preferably 24 to 48 hours.

If the epidermis is not sufficiently dried, remaining moisture reducesconductivity, permittivity and capacitance. Such reduced properties maylead to a variation in capacitance value, thereby degrading overallreliability of the material.

After the above drying step, the epidermis is selected. The selectingstep includes cutting the dried epidermis into circles having a diameterof 0.1 to 10 mm, measuring the capacitance of the epidermis, andselecting the epidermis having a capacitance range from 0.1 pF to 100pF. The selected epidermis is used as a sensor, stacked one or lap over10 sensors. Here, the term “stacked or stacking” means tightly attachingand bonding a plurality of epidermis in a direction perpendicular to theepidermis plane so that the epidermis can be used as one unit. Inparticular, as the ability of the material of the invention to detectbiological electro-magnetic signals can be more efficiently realized byusing a single epidermis at a thickness of 0.01 mm to 10 mm or stacking2 to 10 epidermis one on another in a case where the epidermis has amatrix layer and a melanin crystalline structure formed in an excellentstate, it is preferable to previously select those epidermis that has anexcellent matrix layer and melanin crystalline structure with athickness corresponding to the above-mentioned range. In particular, astack of 2 to 10 epidermis is preferable since biologicalelectro-magnetic signals can be detected more easily.

In addition, the method of producing the material for the detection ofbiological electro-magnetic signals of the invention further includes astep of immersing the epidermis of a living body into water such asdistilled water and tap water. The immersing step is carried outaccording to the above-mentioned procedures.

Furthermore, the method of producing the material for the detection ofbiological electro-magnetic signals of the invention further includes astep of measuring the conductivity of the epidermis and selecting theepidermis. Here, the conductivity is preferably in the range from 0.01nS to 20 nS.

Moreover, the method of producing the material for the detection ofbiological electro-magnetic signals of the invention further includes astep of measuring the permittivity of the epidermis and selecting theepidermis. Here, the permittivity is calculated according to an equationof ∈=c·d/∈o(A, where ∈ indicates permittivity, c indicates conductivity,d indicates the thickness of the material for the detection ofbiological electro-magnetic signals, ∈o is 8.85×10-12 F/m, and Aindicates the electrode area). Preferably, the permittivity ranges from0.1 F/m to 50 F/m.

The biological electro-magnetic signal detective material produced bythe above-mentioned method can be used as a sensor to detectelectro-magnetic signals, in particular, biological electro-magneticsignals.

By using the material for the detection of biological electro-magneticsignals of the invention produced as above, a diagnostic device (sensor)can be manufactured. The diagnostic device includes a sensor probehaving a material for the detection of biological electro-magneticsignals as defined above and electrodes in contact with both ends of thematerial for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals in athickness direction of the material for the detection of biologicalelectro-magnetic signals; an analog circuit functioning to generate andadjust a frequency, the analog circuit connected to the sensor probe andhaving an frequency oscillation tuning circuit and a frequencyallocator; and a digital conversion circuit connected to the analogcircuit, the digital conversion circuit functioning to analyze anddisplay a frequency signal and having an output part including one of aCPU, LCD and communication module and a storage part.

The sensor probe of the diagnostic device has the material for thedetection of biological electro-magnetic signals and the electrodescontacting both ends of the material for the detection of biologicalelectro-magnetic signals. The material for the detection of biologicalelectro-magnetic signals is produced by the above-mentioned producingmethod. The electrodes serve to electrically connect the material forthe detection of biological electro-magnetic signals to the circuit ofthe diagnostic device, and contact the material for the detection ofbiological electro-magnetic signals in a thickness direction of thematerial for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals. Theelectrodes can be made preferably of Ag or Cu.

The analog circuit has the frequency oscillation tuning circuit and thefrequency allocator, and is connected to the sensor probe. The frequencyoscillation tuning circuit includes a frequency generator for generatinga specific reference frequency, a frequency controller for controllingthe reference frequency received through the sensor probe and afrequency amplifier for amplifying the reference frequency. Thefrequency allocator acts to allocate the frequency so as to be processedby the digital conversion circuit.

The digital conversion circuit includes the CPU for measuring thereference frequency and processing various operations, the output partfor displaying the result processed by the CPU and the storage part forstoring the result. The output part can be implemented with a common LCDwindow or a common communication module, and the storage part can beimplemented with a common RAM and/or ROM.

The diagnostic device of the invention may further include a powercircuit for supplying power to the analog circuit and the digitalconversion circuit. The power circuit has a battery and a regulator forregulating a voltage necessary for the analog circuit and the digitalconversion circuit, and may further have a common battery chargingcircuit.

Biological electro-magnetic signals can be measured by contacting thediagnostic device to a region to be measured and then operating thediagnostic device. The measurements are carried out non-invasively, andthus do not cause any side effects such as injection and radiationexposure. Information obtained from the measurement result can beanalyzed to diagnose various diseases accompanied with cancer orinflammation.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the material for thedetection of biological electro-magnetic signals is produced by dryingand selecting the epidermis.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the diagnostic deviceis manufactured using the material for the detection of biologicalelectro-magnetic signals.

Advantageous Effects

As set forth above, the material of the invention has an effect ofdetecting biological electro-magnetic signals. Accordingly, the materialfor the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals of theinvention can be used for manufacturing a diagnostic device fordetecting biological electro-magnetic signals non-invasively as well aseffectively used in diagnosis in cases where biological electro-magneticsignals are changed by cancer, inflammations due to immunodeficiency andso on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary diagnostic deviceequipped with a material for the detection of biologicalelectro-magnetic signals according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a digital conversion circuit ofthe diagnostic device of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a sensor probe and an analogcircuit of the diagnostic device of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a power circuit of the diagnosticdevice of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a frequency oscillation tuningcircuit along with surrounding circuits;

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating a waveform of a frequency generated fromthe frequency generator of the analog circuit;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of setting a channelfrequency by the frequency controller;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a measuring process in a prescan modeof the diagnostic device;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a measuring process in a precise modeof the diagnostic device;

FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating that a subject is diagnosed to be in anormal state by the diagnostic device;

FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating that a subject is diagnosed to be in anormal state by the diagnostic device;

FIG. 12 is a graph illustrating that a subject is diagnosed to be in ainflammation state by the diagnostic device;

FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating that a subject is diagnosed with cancerby the diagnostic device;

FIG. 14 is a picture illustrating materials detective to biologicalelectro-magnetic signals produced from carp scales; and

FIG. 15 is a picture illustrating materials detective to biologicalelectro-magnetic signals produced from turtle epidermis.

MAJOR REFERENCE SIGNS OF THE DRAWINGS

-   -   1: digital conversion circuit    -   2: analog circuit    -   3: power circuit    -   4: sensor probe    -   11: CPU    -   12: flash memory    -   12 a: ROM selector    -   12 b, 12 c: ROM    -   13: SDRAM    -   14: LCD inverter    -   15: LCD    -   16: PWM module    -   16 a: frequency control oscillator    -   16 b: buzzer    -   17: frequency input unit    -   18: channel selection unit    -   19: communication module    -   19 a: radio communication module    -   19 b: USB port    -   19 c: RS-232C    -   20: frequency oscillation tuning circuit    -   21: low pass filter    -   22: 8 channel multiplexer    -   23: sensor selection unit    -   24: frequency controller    -   25: frequency generator    -   26: frequency signal amplifier    -   27: frequency allocator    -   31: adaptor    -   32: battery charge measurement circuit    -   33: battery charging circuit    -   34: battery    -   35: 3.3 volt regulator    -   36: 2.5 volt regulator    -   37: 5 volt regulator

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary diagnostic deviceaccording to the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the diagnostic deviceincludes a digital conversion circuit (1), an analog circuit (2), apower circuit (3) and a sensor driver or sensor probe (4). As shown inFIG. 2, the digital conversion circuit (1) includes a CPU (11), flashmemory (12), an SDRAM (13), an LCD (15), an LCD inverter (14) foradjusting the brightness of the LCD (15), a PWM module (16), a frequencyinput unit (17), a channel selection unit (18) and a communicationmodule (19) for communicating with an external device. Referring to FIG.3, the analog circuit (2) includes an 8-channel multiplexer (22), asensor selection unit (23), a frequency controller (24), a frequencygenerator (25), a frequency signal amplifier (26) and a frequencyallocator (27). The power circuit (3) includes an adaptor (31), abattery (34), a battery charging circuit (33), a battery chargemeasurement circuit (32), a 3.3-volt regulator (35), a 2.5-voltregulator (36) and a 5-volt regulator (37).

Describing the operation of respective parts, the frequency generator(25) of the analog circuit (2) generates a reference frequency. Thereference frequency is unique to a material for the detection ofbiological electro-magnetic signals as shown in FIG. 6, based on acapacitance component of the material for the detection of biologicalelectro-magnetic signals of the sensor probe (4) prior to diagnosis. Thereference frequency prior to diagnosis is controlled by the frequencycontroller (24) so that the frequency generator (25) can generate a moreprecise reference frequency. In particular, the frequency controller(24) minimizes errors such as an error occurring in a case where thematerial for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals of thesensor probe (4) is multi-channeled, a basic fabrication error ofelectronic parts and an environmental error of a measuring position inorder to control the frequency of a frequency oscillation tuning circuit(20) by the reference frequency of the material for the detection ofbiological electro-magnetic signals.

The material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals ofthe sensor probe (4) can be fabricated with various channels from singleto multiple channels. In the case of multiple channels, the 8 channelmultiplexer (22) and the sensor selection unit (23) are required.

Since the frequency signal generated from the frequency generator (25)is too extreme precision the immensely subtle, minute signals to beinputted directly into the digital conversion circuit (1), the frequencysignal amplifier (26) amplifies the extreme precision the immenselysubtle, minute signals up to a level that can be used in the digitalconversion circuit (1). The signal amplified by the frequency amplifier(26) is a rapid frequency on the order of several MHz, which is thenallocated by the frequency allocator (27) so that it can be measured inthe digital conversion circuit (1).

The frequency signal process as above is inputted into the frequencyinput unit (17) and the channel selection unit (18). The frequencysignal inputted into the CPU (11) by the frequency input unit (17) iscalculated as a frequency value by the CPU (11).

In the case of manufacturing the material for the detection ofbiological electro-magnetic signals of the sensor probe (4) according tothe invention, the basic capacitance of the material for the detectionof biological electro-magnetic signals is varied slightly according toprocesses of manufacturing the material for the detection of biologicalelectro-magnetic signals of the sensor probe (4). Therefore, when thereference frequency is adjusted in the analog circuit (2) as shown inFIG. 6, the reference frequency value can be varied slightly for eachchannel owing to a change in the capacitance.

Therefore, a process of reference frequency control is carried outaccording to an algorithm shown in FIG. 7. That is, channels areselected by the frequency selection unit (18), the reference frequencyof a material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signalsfor each channel is set by using the frequency control oscillator (16a), and then the CPU (11) stores sequentially channel values in memoryareas of the SDRAM (13). Then, whenever frequencies are read fromchannel data of the material for the detection of biologicalelectro-magnetic signals, the stored data is outputted by the frequencycontrol oscillator (16 a) and the operation is repeated.

In measurement, an electro-magnetic signal is inputted into the materialfor the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals, changing thecapacitance of the material for the detection of biologicalelectro-magnetic signals in each channel of the sensor probe (4). Then,a frequency change takes place in a reference frequency as shown in FIG.6. The CPU calculates a frequency value, and allocates an area in theflash memory (12) to store the measured frequency. The differencebetween the reference frequency and the measured frequency is referredto as delta frequency, which can be calculated and stored in theallocated area in the flash memory (12) by the CPU (11).

Preferably, the CPU (11) controls the operation of the frequency controloscillator (16 a) to adjust the frequency applied to the buzzer (16 b)so that the buzzer (16 b) can generate different sounds according tofrequencies or delta frequencies. Alternatively, the CPU (11) may beadapted to display different colors on a display unit according tofrequencies or delta frequencies. That is, one of green, yellow and redcan be displayed selectively. Thus, in the diagnostic device of theinvention, the LCD (15) selectively outputs green, yellow and red as theCPU (11) makes a determination according to frequencies or deltafrequencies.

When the diagnostic device is powered on and actuated, a referencefrequency is established. As a diagnosis begins, a frequency a measuredaccording to the health condition of a subject, and a difference betweenthe reference frequency and the measured frequency is calculated as adelta frequency. The health condition of the subject can be judged basedon the magnitude of the measured frequency or delta frequency.Furthermore, since the magnitude of the measured frequency or deltafrequency is a value proportional to a change in the capacitance of thematerial of the invention, the health condition of the subject can bejudged based on the change in the capacitance of the material.

The CPU (11) is linked with the communication module (19) composed of aradio communication module (19 a), a USB port (19 b), an RS-232C (19 c)and so on, and thus can transmit a frequency or delta frequency to anexternal device such as a PC. Data is transmitted to an externalprocessing device via various communication modes, and can be displayed,stored, outputted and processed into a database.

An operation by the analog circuit (2) to process a frequency signalwill now be described.

First, biological electro-magnetic signals of a subject such as a humanbody, which is detected by (being inputted into) the material for thedetection of biological electro-magnetic signals of the sensor probe(4), causes a change in the capacitance of the material. To measure avariation in the capacitance, the capacitance is converted into afrequency by the frequency oscillation tuning circuit (20). Thefrequency oscillation tuning circuit (20) includes the frequencycontroller (24), the frequency generator (25) and the frequency signalamplifier (26) as shown in FIG. 3. The frequency oscillation tuningcircuit (20) causes an oscillation to the reference frequency, as shownin FIG. 6, which is unique to and based on the material for thedetection of biological electro-magnetic signals of the sensor probe(4).

When biological electro-magnetic signals of a subject are detected by(being inputted into) the material for the detection of biologicalelectro-magnetic signals of the sensor probe (4), the capacitance of thematerial change increases. The increased capacitance of the materialdecreases the frequency inputted into the digital conversion circuit 1from the analog circuit (2), generated by the frequency oscillationtuning circuit (20). The oscillated frequency has a minute amplitude,and thus the frequency signal amplifier (26) amplifies the frequency toa predetermined level so that the digital conversion circuit (1) canmeasure the frequency.

Since the material for the detection of biological electro-magneticsignals of the sensor probe (4) may be used variously from a singlechannel to multiple channels, the 8-channel multiplexer (22) and thesensor selection unit (23) are used to measure all channels.

The signal transmitted from the analog circuit (2) to the digitalconversion circuit (1), that is, the frequency oscillated by thefrequency oscillation tuning circuit (20) is divided by the frequencyallocator (27) so as to be easily measured by the digital conversioncircuit (1).

An operation by the digital conversion unit (1) to process a frequencysignal will now be described.

The digital conversion circuit (1), as shown in FIG. 2, includes theflash memory (12) for storing measured data and program data, an SDRAM(13) used as a temporary memory, the CPU (11) for measuring frequenciesand processing various operations, the switch circuit (not shown) forreceiving commands from a user, the PWM module (16) having a buzzer (16b) for generating sounds according to input frequencies, the LCD (15)and LCD inverter (14) for displaying calculated measurement data on aGraphic User Interface (GUI) and a communication module (19) forcommunicating with a PC and the like.

The digital conversion circuit (1) needs a frequency measurementalgorithm for measuring frequencies outputted from the analog circuit(2). To measure the frequencies, the clock of the CPU (11) is countedfor one period of the clock signal of the reference frequency of thematerial for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals shownin FIG. 6, inputted through an input/output module of the CPU (11). Thefrequencies (F) are measured according to following Formula:F=1/TT=(CPU Clock Counter)×1/(CPU Frequency)

Prior to diagnostic measurement, the reference frequency is oscillatedby the frequency oscillation tuning circuit (20), based on thecapacitance of the material for the detection of biologicalelectro-magnetic signals of the sensor probe (4). Biologicalelectro-magnetic signal detected by (being inputted into) the materialfor the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals of the sensorprobe (4) increase the capacitance of the material, which decreases themeasurement frequency. Then, the decreased frequency is subtracted fromthe reference frequency to obtain a delta frequency.

Clinically speaking, the delta frequency indicates the amount ofbiological electro-magnetic signals. Accordingly, an increase in thedelta frequency indicates a large amount of biological electro-magneticsignals, whereas a decrease in the delta frequency indicates a smallamount of biological electro-magnetic signals.

The inventors made the diagnostic device of the invention display deltafrequencies in three stages. The first stage indicates a normal behaviorin the biological electro-magnetic signals, the second stage indicatesan active behavior in the biological electro-magnetic signals and thethird stage indicates a pulsatory behavior in the biologicalelectro-magnetic signals.

Even though the reference frequency based on the non-diagnosed state iscontrolled by the frequency controller (24), the reference frequency maynot be maintained correctly but has a minute difference in a process ofcalculating the frequency in the digital conversion circuit (1). Thefrequency control oscillator (16 a) is also provided in the digitalconversion circuit (1) to cope with such a symptom as well as controlthe frequency precisely. As shown in FIG. 5, a frequency setting unitincludes the sensor probe (4) having a material for the detection ofbiological electro-magnetic signals, the frequency oscillation tuningcircuit (20), the low pass filter (21), the CPU (11) having input andoutput ports, the PWM module (16), the flash memory (12) and the like.

As the CPU (11) is powered on, it receives a frequency from the analogcircuit (2) and compares the received frequency with a referencefrequency. If the received frequency is different from the referencefrequency, it is controlled by the CPU (11).

When biological electro-magnetic signals from a subject or a living bodyis measured by the diagnostic device including the material for thedetection of biological electro-magnetic signals of the invention,“green” or “yellow” indicators are shown uniformly as shown in FIGS. 10and 11 in the case that the health condition of subjective mouse is verynormal or normal. However, in the case of inflammation, a “red”indicator is shown uniformly as shown in FIG. 12. In the case of cancer,“red” and “yellow” indicators are shown irregularly as shown in FIG. 13.

In this case, the degree of irregularity or variation of delta frequencyis different according to human subjects or cancer status. In order tomeasure it more precisely, frequency sampling rate is classified intothree types. FIG. 8 illustrates a channel draw mode which reads materialfrequencies at 10 ms and a prescan mode which reads material frequenciesat 20 ms, and FIG. 9 illustrates a precise mode which reads materialfrequencies at 100 ms.

Data measured as above is displayed on the LCD (15) equipped in the PCor diagnostic device.

Upon being transmitted to the PC from the diagnostic device equippedwith the material for the detection of biological electro-magneticsignals as above, the data is transmitted according to a specific datatransmission protocol by the radio communication module (19 a), the USBport (19 b) and the RS-232C (19 c) of the PC or diagnostic device. Thetransmission protocol is divided into the prescan mode in FIG. 8 and theprecise mode in FIG. 9. In the case of the prescan mode, measurementdata is transmitted continuously until a break signal is inputted, thatis, the user presses a stop button or the PC sends a stop command. Onthe contrary, the precise mode sends all data of the multi-channelmaterial ten (10) times and then stands by until the user pushes ameasurement button.

In addition, an audio signal is outputted through the buzzer (16 b) sothat the biological electro-magnetic signal inputted from the materialcan be heard. As different sounds are generated according to colorsdisplayed on the LCD (15), normal condition, inflammation and cancer canbe judged by sounds.

The power circuit (3) of FIG. 1 is also shown in FIG. 4, and includesthe adaptor (31), the battery charge measurement circuit (32), thebattery charging circuit (33), the battery (34), the 3.3 volt regulator(35), the 2.5 volt regulator (36), the 5 volt regulator (37) and thelike. 3.3 volt and 2.5 volt are supplied to the digital conversioncircuit 1 and 5 volt is supplied to the analog circuit (2). The battery34 is implemented with a Nickel Metal Hybrid (Ni-MH) battery, which hasa capacitance of about 1200 mA/H and thus can power the diagnosticdevice of the invention at a current of 55 OmA for about 2 hours.

The diagnostic device of the invention is a medical device and thus doesnot directly use a commercial or common voltage to ensure safety for asubject (living organism). Even though the adaptor (31) is used, thediagnostic device is powered from the battery (34). To check theresidual capacity and charged capacity of the battery (34), the voltageof the battery (34) is feed back to the CPU (11) by the battery chargemeasurement circuit (32).

Biological electro-magnetic signals detected by the sensor probe (4) areanalyzed by an algorithm stored in the analog circuit (2) and thedigital conversion circuit (1), and then displayed on the screen.

Also the biological electro-magnetic signal inputted by the sensor probe(4) is displayed with irregular images by the algorithm set to the CPUprogram in the analog circuit (2), the digital conversion circuit (3)and CPU in the digital conversion circuit (3), it is diagnosed ascancer.

Alternatively, a frequency applied to the buzzer may be changed whenevera final result is changed so that an inspector or a subject mayrecognize the state of the diagnosed region by hearing.

After the biological electro-magnetic signal inputted into the sensorprobe (4) is processed by the analog circuit (2), the digital conversioncircuit 1 and so on, it can be transmitted to the PC via awired/wireless communication module so that relevant data such as adiagnosed region, a diagnosis result and a clinical history can beclassified as unique to the subject and stored in the database of thePC.

In an experimental example of the invention, the diagnostic device ofthe invention was used to diagnose cancer in mice whose subcutaneoustissue and abdominal cavity were implemented with cancer cells.

As a result of measuring biological electro-magnetic signals of thesubject mouse by the diagnostic device of the invention, “green” or“yellow” as in FIG. 10 or 11 indicates that the subject mouse has anexcellent or good condition, “red” in a regular state as in FIG. 12indicates that the subject mouse has an inflammation, and “red” and“yellow” in an irregular state as in FIG. 13 indicates that the subjectmouse has cancer.

A total of 656 measurements were carried out for three weeks using thismethod, on mice including those whose subcutaneous tissue wastransplanted with cancer cells. In the initial seven (7) days after thetransplantation, correct were 166 out of 190 measurements (87.4%), inwhich normal, healthy mice were not diagnosed with cancer. The totalresults were 629 hits out of 656 measurements (95.9%) in the experimentperiod, in which normal, healthy mice were not diagnosed with cancer. Itcan be appreciated that the diagnostic device of the invention hasexcellent sensitivity to biological electro-magnetic signals caused bycancer.

In another experimental example of the invention, the diagnostic deviceof the invention was used to diagnose cancer in the mice whose abdominalcavity was transplanted with leukemia cells. As a result, 84.7% werediagnosed with cancer in a control group, and the remaining 15.3% werediagnosed with inflammation instead of cancer. In the mice whoseabdominal cavity was transplanted with leukemia cells, 93.1% werediagnosed with cancer. In view of the fact that cancer will not beinduced in the control group but the group transplanted with cancer hasa high probability of cancer, it can be appreciated that the diagnosticdevice of the invention has excellent sensitivity to biologicalelectro-magnetic signals caused by cancer.

Accordingly, the invention provides a material for the detection ofbiological electro-magnetic signals using a epidermis and a diagnosticdevice using the same.

(Mode for Invention)

Examples of the invention will now be described in detail.

However, it should be appreciated that the following examples are toillustrate the invention but do not restrict the scope of the invention.

Example 1 Material for the Detection of Biological Electro-MagneticSignals Made of Carp Epidermis (Scale)

A dead body of a carp was immersed in tap water at 30° C. for seven (7)days. Scales were separated from the dead body by physical force. Anytissues other than scales peeled off the body were removed from thescales, foreign materials were removed, and moisture was removed fromthe surface.

The separated scales were spread flat, applied under a pressure of 1kg/cm², dried at room temperature for forty-eight (48) hours in acondition that they can maintain flatness, and then dried at roomtemperature (25° C.) for 48 hours without pressure so that moisture canbe removed completely.

Pigment particulates contained in the scale include black melanin, redcarotenoid, white guanine and so on. The scales which were completelydried have guanine and carotenoid in some regions (about 75% of thetotal area) and opaque, black melanin pigments in other regions (about25% of the total area) (see FIG. 14). The scales were cut into circleshaving a diameter of about 15 mm, such that the black melanin regionoccupies at least 30% of the total area. The cut scales were measuredfor capacitance and conductivity by a capacitance meter (4263B LCRMeter, Agilent Technologies Ltd., USA) and a digital conductivity meter(Centurion NDT Inc, USA). Of the measured scales, those satisfying acapacitance range from 0.1 pF to 100 pF (6.5 pF in actual measurement)and a conductivity range from 0.01 nS to 20 nS (0.85 pF in actualmeasurement) were selected to obtain detective materials.

Example 2 Material for the Detection of Biological Electro-MagneticSignals Made of Crucian Carp Epidermis (Scale)

Material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals wasproduced in the same fashion as in Example 1 except that a dead body ofa crucial carp was used.

Example 3 Material for the Detection of Biological Electro-MagneticSignals Made of Salmon Epidermis (Scale)

Material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals wasproduced in the same fashion as in Example 1 except that a dead body ofa salmon was used.

Example 4 Material for the Detection of Biological Electro-MagneticSignals Made of Trout Epidermis (Scale)

Material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals wasproduced in the same fashion as in Example 1 except that a dead body ofa trout was used.

Example 5 Material for the Detection of Biological Electro-MagneticSignals Made of Turtle Epidermis (Scale)

A dead body of a turtle was immersed in tap water at 33° C. fortwenty-eight (28) days. Epidermis were separated from the dead body byphysical force. Any tissues other than epidermis peeled off the bodywere removed from the epidermis, foreign materials were removed, andmoisture was removed from the surface.

The separated epidermis were spread flat, applied under a pressure of 10kg/cm², dried at room temperature for forty-eight (48) hours in acondition that they can maintain flatness, and then dried at roomtemperature (25° C.) for 48 hours without pressure so that moisture canbe removed completely.

The epidermis, which were completely dried (see FIG. 15), were cut intocircles having a diameter of about 15 mm. The cut epidermis weremeasured for capacitance and conductivity by a capacitance meter and adigital conductivity meter. Of the measured epidermis, those satisfyinga capacitance range from 0.1 pF to 100 pF and a conductivity range from0.01 nS to 20 nS were selected to obtain detective materials.

Example 6 Material for the Detection of Biological Electro-MagneticSignals Made of Snapping Turtle Epidermis Scale)

Material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals wasproduced in the same fashion as in Example 5 except that a dead body ofa snapping turtle was used.

Example 7 Material for the Detection of Biological Electro-MagneticSignals Made of Crocodile Epidermis (Scale)

Crocodile epidermis separated from the dead body were spread flat,applied under a pressure of 10 kg/cm², dried at room temperature forforty-eight (48) hours in a condition that they can maintain flatness,and then dried at room temperature (25° C.) for 48 hours withoutpressure so that moisture can be removed completely.

The epidermis, which were completely dried (see FIG. 15), were cut intocircles having a diameter of about 15 mm. The cut epidermis weremeasured for capacitance and conductivity by a capacitance meter and adigital conductivity meter. Of the measured epidermis, those satisfyinga capacitance range from 0.1 pF to 100 pF and a conductivity range from0.01 nS to 20 nS were selected to obtain detective materials.

Example 8 Material for the Detection of Biological Electro-MagneticSignals Made of Snake Epidermis (Scale)

Material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals wasproduced in the same fashion as in Example 5 except that a dead body ofa snake was immersed in tap water at 33° C. for seven (7) days,epidermis were divided uniformly at a 30 cm length, foreign materialswere removed, and moisture was removed from the surface.

Example 9 Material for the Detection of Biological Electro-MagneticSignals Made of Beetle Epidermis (Cuticle)

Cuticle were separated from a dead body of a beetle by physical force.Any tissues other than cuticle peeled off the body were removed from thecuticle, foreign materials were removed from the cuticle, which werethen cut into circles having a diameter of 5 mm, and then moisture wasremoved from the surface.

The separated cuticle were spread flat, applied under a pressure of 5kg/cm², dried at room temperature for twenty-four (24) hours in acondition that they can maintain flatness, and then dried at roomtemperature (25° C.) for 48 hours without pressure so that moisture canbe removed completely.

The cuticle, which were completely dried, were measured for capacitanceand conductivity by a capacitance meter and a digital conductivitymeter. Of the measured cuticle, those satisfying a capacitance rangefrom 0.1 pF to 100 pF and a conductivity range from 0.01 nS to 20 nSwere selected to obtain detective materials.

Example 10 Material for the Detection of Biological Electro-MagneticSignals Made of Grasshopper Epidermis (Cuticle)

Material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals wasproduced in the same fashion as in Example 9 except that a dead body ofa grasshopper was used.

Example 11 Material for the Detection of Biological Electro-MagneticSignals Made of Gold Bug Epidermis (Cuticle)

Material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals wasproduced in the same fashion as in Example 9 except that a dead body ofa gold bug was used.

Example 12 Material for the Detection of Biological Electro-MagneticSignals Made of Ladybug Epidermis (Cuticle)

Material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals wasproduced in the same fashion as in Example 9 except that a dead body ofa ladybug was used.

Example 13 Material for the Detection of Biological Electro-MagneticSignals Made of Crab Epidermis (Shell)

shell were separated from a dead body of a crab by physical force. Ifany tissues or internal organs other than shell were peeled off thebody, the shell were immersed in tap water at 33° C. for four (4) daysto remove foreign materials such as tissues and internal organs from theshell. The shell were cut into circles having a diameter of 15 mm,foreign materials were removed, and moisture was removed from thesurface.

The separated shell were spread flat, applied under a pressure of 1kg/cm², dried at room temperature for forty-eight (48) hours in acondition that they can maintain flatness, and then dried at roomtemperature (25° C.) for 48 hours without pressure so that moisture canbe removed completely.

The shell, which were completely dried, were measured for capacitanceand conductivity by a capacitance meter and a digital conductivitymeter. Of the measured shell, those satisfying a capacitance range from0.1 pF to 100 pF and a conductivity range from 0.01 nS to 20 nS wereselected to obtain detective materials.

Example 14 Material for the Detection of Biological Electro-MagneticSignals Made of Shrimp Epidermis (Shell)

Material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals wasproduced in the same fashion as in Example 13 except that a dead body ofa shrimp was used.

Example 15 Material for the Detection of Biological Electro-MagneticSignals Made of Lobster Epidermis (Shell)

Material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals wasproduced in the same fashion as in Example 13 except that a dead body ofa lobster was used.

Example 16 Diagnostic Device Manufactured Using Material for TheDetection of Biological Electro-Magnetic Signals

Ten (10) materials for the detection of biological electro-magneticsignals produced in Example 1 were overlapped one on another and fixedbetween electrodes of the sensor probe shown in FIG. 1 to manufacture adiagnostic device for detecting biological electro-magnetic signalsaccording to the block diagrams shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

Experimental Example 1 Test of Material for the Detection of BiologicalElectro-magnetic Signals about Cancer Diagnosis

The diagnosis device manufactured in Example 16 was used to determinethe ability of the detective material to detect biologicalelectro-magnetic signals by cancer diagnosis test.

Mice to be tested were specific pathogen free BALB/C nude mice (AthymicBALB/C Nude Mouse), which were 8 weeks old female mice removed of thymus(available from Central Lab. Animals Inc., Korea). Test mice weregrouped into groups in the order of weight, including one (1) controlgroup and five (5) hypodermic implantation groups, in which each groupis composed of 10 mice. For recognition, identification labels onbreeding boxes and ear punches were used. However, only groupidentification was allowed during test period, and group-based carcinomawas not informed to a worker who performed experiments.

Test groups are as reported in Table 2 below:

TABLE 2 Amount of Animal Transplanted Group per Animal Cancer Origin ofNo. Sex Group No. (cells/head) Cancer G1 F 10  1 to 10 — Control groupG2 F 10 11 to 20 0.3 × 10⁷ Lung cancer G3 F 10 21 to 30 0.3 × 10⁷ Coloncancer G4 F 10 31 to 40 0.3 × 10⁷ Melanoma G5 F 10 41 to 50 0.3 × 10⁷Prostate cancer G6 F 10 51 to 60 0.3 × 10⁷ Breast cancer * Note G1:Group where cancer cells are not transplanted G2 to G6: Groups wherecancer cells are transplanted

Mice were bred at a temperature of 23±3° C. and a relative moisture of55±15%, and allowed to intake water and feed freely.

Used cancer cell lines were originated from the human such as lug cancer(A549), colon cancer (HCT15), melanoma (LOX-IMVI), prostate cancer(PC-3) and breast cancer (MDA-MB-231), obtained from Korea ResearchInstitute of Bioscience and Biotechnology.

The respective cancer cell lines were suspended as soon as possible in awater bath (37° C.), mixed uniformly into RPMI1640 culture media(SigmaAldrich, USA) containing 10% FBS (fetal bovine serum, Fetal BovineSerum, SigmaAldrich, USA), and centrifuged at 1200 rpm for 10 minutes.After the centrifuge, supernatant was discarded, and the separated cellwere mixed uniformly into RPMI1640 culture media of 5 ml, placed into acell culture flask, and then cultured in incubator in 5% CO₂ and at 37°C.

The cultured cancer cells were suspended in a saline solution to 1×10⁷cells/ml. The saline solution containing the cancer cells wastransplanted by 0.3 ml to the respective mice, under the skin. 0.3 mlsaline solution was injected into a control group.

By using the diagnostic device manufactured in Example 16, thecarcinogenesis aspect of animals was measured randomly according to thegroups from the first day of cancer cell transplantation. The diagnosingability of the diagnostic device using the material of the invention wasestimated by comparison with histopathological analysis.

According to measurement results, at a reference frequency of 50,400 Hzof the diagnostic device manufactured in Example 16, those mice showinga measurement frequency of 50,400 Hz to 48,380 Hz were very healthy(green), and those mice showing a measurement frequency ranging from48,370 Hz to 46,790 Hz were relatively healthy (yellow). When “yellow”and “red” were displayed irregularly, it is judged to be cancer. In therespective judgment, reference points were established by resultsobtained by experiences of the inventors and preliminary experiments,and previously inputted so that the CPU of the diagnostic device canmake judgment according to frequency values of corresponding ranges. Inparticular, the differences of measurement frequencies in respectivemeasurements are maintained uniform in the case of normal condition. Inthe case of inflammation, the measurement frequencies are lower thanthose of the normal condition but maintain uniform frequencydifferences. However, in the case of cancer, the measurement frequenciesshowed a large deviation, in particular, maintained a similar or lowerlevel than the case of inflammation, suddenly rose to the level ofnormal frequency range, and then dropped to the frequency range ofinflammation. In this way, the measurement frequencies show largedifferences at respective measurements.

When measurements were carried out seven (7) days after thetransplantation of the cancer cells, a tumor could not be recognized byeye but the measurement results are reported in Table 3 below. Hitratios were produced by dividing the number of normal conditions withthe total number of measurements in the case of control group, and bydividing the number of cancer diagnoses with the total number ofmeasurements in the case of hypodermic implantation group. The hit ratioon the control group was 93.3% (28/30), the hit ratio on the hypodermicimplantation group was 86.3% (138/160), and the overall hit ratio was87.4% (166/190). The overall results including a period where tumorscould be observed by eye are reported in Table 4 below, in which the hitratio on the control group was 96.5% (111/115), the hit ratio on thehypodermic implantation group was 95.7% (518/541), and the overall hitratio was 95.9% (629/656).

TABLE 3 G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 Total Total Measurement 30 35 35 30 30 30 190Normal (N) 28 0 1 1 0 0 Inflammation (I) 2 7 2 3 3 5 Cancer (C) 0 28 3226 27 25

TABLE 4 G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 Total Total Measurement 115 115 115 101 105105 656 Normal (N) 111 0 1 1 0 0 Inflammation (I) 4 7 2 3 3 6 Cancer (C)0 108 112 97 102 99

In view of the results, the measuring test was carried out a total of656 times for three (3) weeks by the diagnostic device, which wasmanufactured using the material for the detection of biologicalelectro-magnetic signals. The measurements by the diagnostic devicemanufactured using the material for the detection of biologicalelectro-magnetic signals showed 166 hits out of a total of 190measurements (87.4%) up to 7 days after the implantation of the cancercells, but never diagnosed with cancer in a normal, healthy mouse. Inaddition, the overall results showed 629 hits out of the total 656measurements (95.9%), in which no normal mice were wrongly diagnosedwith cancer.

Hypodermic tumors were extracted from all the mice, and all of them weretested positive for cancer tissues as a result of histopathologicalexamination.

When common symptoms were observed, no special symptoms were found fromthe animals except for those symptoms specific to cancer growth. In thegroup where melanoma was transplanted, mice died by one, respectively,on 15^(th), 18^(th) and 21^(st) days.

Experimental Example 2 Test of Material for the Detection of BiologicalElectro-magnetic Signals about Leukemia Diagnosis

The ability of the diagnostic device manufactured in Example 16 todiagnose cancer was tested according to the same fashion as ExperimentalExample 1 except that leukemia (K562) obtained from Korea ResearchInstitute of Bioscience and Biotechnology was transplanted into theabdominal cavity.

Test groups are as reported in Table 5 below:

TABLE 5 Amount of Animal Transplanted Group per Animal Cancer Origin ofNo. Sex Group No. (cells/head) Cancer G7 F 20  1 to 20 — Control groupG8 F 20 21 to 40 0.3 × 10⁷ Leukemia G7: Group where cancer cells are nottransplanted G8: Group where cancer cells are transplanted

Measurement results are as reported in Table 6 below:

TABLE 6 G7 G8 Total Total Measurement 150 145 295 Normal (N) 127 0Inflammation (I) 23 10 Cancer (C) 0 135

After transplantation of cancer cells, 84.7% (127/150) of the controlgroup was diagnosed normal, and remaining 15.3% (23/150) was diagnosedwith inflammation but not with cancer. In the case of the grouptransplanted with leukemia, 93.1% (135/145) was diagnosed with cancer.However, hit ratios could not be calculated since carcinogenesis was notproved histopathologically.

In the case of mice with leukemia transplanted into the abdominalcavity, a plurality of cases were observed in one of the mice used inthe experiment at the time point where the experiment ended. Thus, ifthe experiment period was prolonged, it could be possible to identifycarcinogenesis.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described hereinbefore, the detective material of the invention hasan effect of detecting biological electro-magnetic signals. Accordingly,the material for the detection of biological electro-magnetic signals ofthe invention can be used for manufacturing a diagnostic device fordetecting biological electro-magnetic signals non-invasively as well aseffectively used in diagnosis in cases where biological electro-magneticsignals are changed by cancer, inflammations due to immunodeficiency andso on.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of manufacturing a material forthe detection of biological electro-magnetic signals, comprising stepsof: a) drying an epidermis separated from a living organism; b)measuring a capacitance on the dried epidermis to select the epidermis,wherein the epidermis separated from the living organism is selectedfrom a group consisting of a scale of a fish, a scale or horny scalelayer of a reptile, a modified skin of a bird, a cuticle of an insect, acuticle of a mollusk, a cuticle of a shellfish, a feather, and a shellor horny scale layer of a crustacean.
 2. The method according to claim1, further comprising: immersing the epidermis into water.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the step a) comprises drying the epidermisfor 1 to 48 hours under a pressure of 0.5 kg/cm₂ to 10 kg/cm² and thendrying the epidermis for 1 to 96 hours without pressure.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the step b) comprises of selecting thedried capacitance of the epidermis that is in a range from 0.1 pF to 100pF.
 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: measuring aconductivity of the epidermis to select the epidermis.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 5, wherein the conductivity of the epidermis is in arange from 0.01 nS to 20 nS.
 7. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising: measuring a permittivity of the epidermis to select theepidermis.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the permittivityis in a range from 0.1 F/m to 50 F/m.
 9. The method according to claim1, wherein the epidermis has a thickness in a range from 0.01 mm to 10mm and a diameter in a range from 0.1 mm to 100 mm by the step b). 10.The method according to claim 1, wherein the epidermis separated fromthe living organism is a scale of a fish.
 11. The method according toclaim 10, wherein the fish is selected from a group consisting of carp,a crucian carp, salmon and trout.
 12. The method according to claim 1,wherein the epidermis separated from the living organism is a scale orskin of a reptile.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein thereptile is selected from a group consisting of a turtle, a snappingturtle, a crocodile and a snake.
 14. The method according to claim 1,wherein the epidermis separated from the living organism is a cuticle ofan insect.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the insect isselected from a group consisting of a beetle, a grasshopper, a gold bugand a ladybug.
 16. The method according to claim 1, wherein theepidermis separated from the living organism is a shell of a crustacea.17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the crustacea is selectedfrom crab, shrimp and crayfish.
 18. The method according to claim 1,wherein the epidermis is a scale transformed from a dermis, or aretrogressed or cornified scale.